Guide to Life: How to talk about infertility

Available for over a year

Infertility can be one of the most emotionally complex experiences to go through, and one of the hardest to talk about. For those facing treatment like IVF, the questions, the comments and even the silence from people around you can feel overwhelming. And for friends and family, wanting to help but fearing you'll say the wrong thing can make it hard to know how to reach out. In this episode of The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life we explore how to navigate those conversations with more confidence and care. How do you decide what to share and with whom? What could you say when questions feel intrusive or overwhelming? And what should friends and family say and NOT say to someone going through it? We hear from Kay, who shares her experience of IVF, miscarriage and the emotional toll of fertility treatment. She’s joined by Dr Marie Prince, a fertility psychologist, who offers guidance on boundaries, communication and protecting your wellbeing, and Joyce Harper, Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London, who explains the mental and physical realities of treatment and why the experience can be so isolating. Key takeaways - Decide what, and who, to tell: You don't have to share everything with everyone. Being selective about who you open up to can help you feel more supported and in control. - Pair honesty with guidance: If you share what you are going through, it can help to explain what kind of response you need, whether that is listening, distraction, or simply sensitivity. - Use boundaries to protect yourself: Short, clear responses can help manage intrusive questions. You do not need to justify or expand unless you want to. - For friends and family: Avoid easy fixes like 'just relax'. Listening without judgement is far more supportive — and silence can feel like distance, so gentle check‑ins go a long way. If you've been impacted by the issues explored in this programme, there are links to support for anyone going through infertility and miscarriage on the BBC Action Line website. GET IN TOUCH with your dilemmas and questions for The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life: WhatsApp: 03700 100 444 Social media: @bbcwomanshour Email: womanshour.yourviews@bbc.co.uk Episodes of The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life are released on Sundays, exclusively on BBC Sounds. You can also watch videos from the recordings on social media @bbcwomanshour. The Woman’s Hour Guide to Life is presented by Nuala McGovern. The series is produced by Simon Richardson. Digital and audio production is by Erin Downes. The Content Editor is Olivia Bolton. The Executive Editor is Karen Dalziel.